Nixon: Volume I by Stephen E. Ambrose

Author:Stephen E. Ambrose
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Touchstone Book

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HOLDING ON TO THE VICE-PRESIDENCY

January-August 1956

THROUGH THE FIRST MONTHS OF 1956, Nixon lived in an agony of suspension because the world’s most famous decision maker refused to make a decision. At any moment following his announcement that he would seek a second term, Eisenhower could have decided to dump Nixon or to keep him, and that would have been that. There was precedent aplenty, either way. But Eisenhower left the decision to others, most specifically to Nixon himself—something Nixon, like the reporters and columnists and politicians, could not believe.

Adding to Nixon’s discontent was the obvious fact that the prize was so great. Back in 1952, some of Nixon’s friends could honestly advise him to reject the Vice-Presidency in favor of staying in the Senate, but in 1956 no real friend of Nixon’s could doubt that the best possible place for him was right where he was, one (damaged) heartbeat away from the Presidency. Yet throughout the period of indecision, Eisenhower continually told him that he would be better off elsewhere, then urged him to make his own choice. It was impossible for Nixon to understand exactly what Eisenhower did want. There was good reason for Nixon’s confusion—on the subject of Nixon’s future, Eisenhower contradicted himself on an almost daily basis.

Milton Eisenhower once said that in 1956 “a more sensitive man” than Nixon would have taken Eisenhower’s hint and left the ticket. 1 Perhaps. And perhaps Eisenhower felt that, as had been the case in the Army, a hint from the CO was sufficient. In addition, Eisenhower hated to fire someone who had served him loyally and to the best of his ability—that trait had been one of his weaknesses as a soldier, as he himself often confessed—and he believed that Nixon had done as good a job as possible as Vice-President. Another Eisenhower characteristic, as soldier and as President, was to keep his options open for as long as possible. He really did not know the answers to the chief questions: What would be best for Nixon? for the Republican party? for the country? The last was the most important because of the real possibility that the Republican vice-presidential nominee of 1956 could become President before 1960.

In the narrative that follows, Eisenhower will often be seen expressing doubts about Nixon. What should be noted throughout, however, is what Eisenhower kept in the forefront of his mind—the possibility that the vice-presidential nominee might well become President. Eisenhower was an old man whose love for his country, like his service to it, was unmatched. He wanted what was best for the United States. That was why he decided to run again—he was sure he was the best. That was also why he finally picked Nixon as his running mate—he thought Nixon had his shortcomings, but he would rather turn the country over to Nixon than any other possible candidate. In itself, that was the highest possible tribute he could pay Nixon.

Nevertheless, the lack of a clear-cut and enthusiastic endorsement from the President cut Nixon deeply.

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